An illegal gambling house in Maple Ridge has been shut down following a police raid that led to the arrest of 11 individuals. The operation, conducted by British Columbia's anti-gang police force, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), targeted three properties in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, and Surrey.
Investigation and Seizures
The investigation began in November, when authorities obtained search warrants for the three locations. During the raids, police seized a shotgun with a suppressor, $34,000 in cash, and various gambling equipment. Items confiscated included ledgers, poker tables, custom poker chips embossed with “J&J’s Poker Club,” playing cards, and other gambling paraphernalia. Additionally, three vehicles—a 2012 Dodge Caravan, a 2017 Range Rover, and a 2024 Honda CRV—were impounded.
Public Safety Concerns
Sergeant Sarbjit K. Sangha of the CFSEU emphasized the dangers associated with illegal gambling houses. “Illegal gaming houses are not harmless operations — they are often tied to organized crime and bring significant risks to public safety,” Sangha stated. “These locations can become hubs for violence, exploitation, and other criminal activity, putting both patrons and surrounding communities in danger.”
The 11 individuals arrested were released pending charges. Six of them have been banned from entering B.C. casinos, following collaboration between the province’s independent gambling control office and the CFSEU’s anti-gambling unit.
Authorities encourage the public to report illegal gambling activities and learn more about the risks through the website notworththegamble.ca.
